"Traditional materials contribute solidity, durability, and versatility that offer elegance and completeness to every building"

How has the stone been used in the single home residence CAH project?

The project has been built based on three main materials: the villa gray granite (Villacastín), ipe wood, and anodized aluminum of a natural color. As for the granite, it was placed in a ventilated facade in pieces of 60x40x3 cm, with four anchorages per piece; likewise, it was placed horizontally in terraces and the main patio of the residence in pieces of 40x40x3 cm on polypropylene height-adjustable supports. The construction system -used just as much vertically as horizontally- allows for complete recovery and replacement of all the pieces of granite. It also adjusts perfectly to the thermal determining factors of Castille, with hard winters and extreme summers. The system enables placement of heavy-gauge insulation leaving the lining to the interior, what contributes to a great thermal inertia to the volume of the residence; in the summer, the aired camera helps lower the temperature of the leaf.

Which variety of stone was used in the work and why?

We used pieces of villa gray granite from a quarry situated in Villacastín, Segovia. This type of stone was chosen due to its proximity to the construction site (30 km), and because of the clear tones that helped reflect solar radiation and contrasted in terms of texture and color with the ipe wood.

Which do you consider to be the best characteristics or qualities of the stone at the time of handling the material?

The most outstanding features are the solidity and durability of the material. This said, it is difficult to obtain the tactile and light sensations of the natural stone. As for its handling on site, it stands out for its flexibility--it may be integrated in virtually the totality of the construction systems, traditional as well as modern.

Did any difficulties arise in the use of this material at the time of carrying out the project?

The chosen construction system facilitates its handling enormously and adapts perfectly to the characteristics of the stone. A good prior plotting and the good work carried out by the subcontract facilitated its handling, with no noticeable difficulty.

How does the stone material relate and harmonize with the remainder of the materials used in the project?

When the residence is completely closed, only two materials are differentiated: granite and wood. The contrast of colors and textures among these configures the volume with an interesting outward appearance.


What importance or meaning does stone generally have in architecture?

We construct buildings that incorporate current construction systems, but just as it happens in all the sectors, we need to strike a balance between the teachings of the past and the possibilities that present advancements offer us. "Traditional materials contribute features of solidity, durability, and versatility that offer elegance and completeness to every building."